Six students sing for a place on The Voice UK
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Six students sing to win as The Voice UK comes to Bath Spa University
Thursday, 26 April, 2018Six Bath Spa students sang their hearts out at a recent University open mic night to impress an audience of talent scouts from hit TV show, The Voice UK.
The search for next year’s stars was held at Bath Spa University’s Michael Tippett Centre - home to a hive of music teaching activity and Bath’s only purpose-built concert hall.
The vocalists took it in turns to belt out their chosen tracks in front of professionals from the singing show’s talent-spotting team. Each of the budding entertainers shares the same dream of being picked to audition live in front of a panel of celebrity coaches for what will be the show’s eighth series.
The singers
Suzanne Renaud-Betz
Suzanne, 20, who is in her first year of studying for a BA in Commercial Music gave her own unique rendition of the Pokémon Theme. She said: “As part of my course we were challenged to change the genre of a song and I wanted to do something nobody else would. That’s why I chose the Pokémon Theme. When I knew the talent scouts were going to be at the University I took it as a sign to take a leap of faith and make the most of the experience. I’m happy I did!"
Lauren Masterson
Second year BSc Psychology student Lauren, 24, who sang You Were Meant for Me by American singer-songwriter Jewel, said: “I’ve always liked singing but I’ve never performed in public until now so this was nerve-wracking but fun. Studying at Bath Spa has opened my eyes to the possibility of making a career out of singing. If I hadn’t plucked up the courage to sing for my spot on The Voice UK I know I would have regretted it, this kind of thing doesn’t happen every day.”
Eve Mortimer
Eve, 21, is a third year BA Creative Art and Drama student. She performed Riptide by Vance Joy and said: "I’ve been singing for a few years and enjoy participating in musical theatre through the University. I made a deal with my mum that I’d attend the open mic night and give it my all. I’m really glad I took part and can’t wait to hear whether I’ve made it through.”
Jasmine Nesbitt-Larking
Jasmine, 20, who also goes by the apt nickname ‘Jazz’ is in her second year of studying for a BA in Jazz Music. She sang famous gospel song Roll, Jordan, Roll and said: “I’m a keen vocalist and also enjoy teaching jazz music. I previously auditioned for The Voice UK in London when I was 18 but I didn’t make it through to sing for the judges. Since then, I’ve made what was arguably one of the best decisions of my life which was to study jazz music at Bath Spa."
Rebecca Rees
Second year BA Drama student Rebecca, 19, who sang the Queen classic Somebody To Love said: “I love to sing for fun but hadn’t really started thinking about it as a profession until I came to University. I’ve always enjoyed watching The Voice UK with my family and the possibility of appearing on the show really excites me. I'm really hoping I did enough to get through to audition for coaches."
Ellie Martin
First year BA Drama student Ellie, 19, who performed a classic from Andrew Lloyd Webber hit stage musical, The Phantom of the Opera, said: “I made a new year’s resolution to say yes to every opportunity that came my way, so when I heard The Voice UK talent scouts were coming to University I just knew I had to be there. Classical songs and musicals are my favourites but I also get a lot of practice from entertaining crowds at weddings."
Talent scouts will be in touch with successful performers from Bath Spa University in the coming weeks. In the meantime, their search for next year’s outstanding singers continues as they travel through cities up and down the country.
Bath Spa’s course has a track record for producing exceptional entertainers in the music industry. The course takes students on a creative journey to inspire and define a lifelong career. Students write original material alongside exploring identity, promotion and the wider music business.
Many Bath Spa graduates are signed artists while others work for record labels, in music publishing, in the entertainment business, or across the digital sector.